 Benz was involved in Grand Prix motor racing from 1923, when the Benz "Tropfenwagen" (described as having a teardrop shape) was introduced to motorsport at the European Grand Prix at Monza.These, the brainchild of Benz chief engineer Hans Nibel, were inspired by the Rumpler Tropfenwagen and were intended to increase public acceptance of mid-engined cars.They resembled the later Auto Unions (also built in part by Rumpler engineers), and used the virtually unchanged Rumpler chassis.